The 56-year-old, who lives in Hutton Rudby, has taken over as Dean of the School of Computing at the university.

He first arrived at Constantine College, at the age of 18, to study computer science. After graduating with a first class degree in 1971, he continued his studies in Manchester before going on to work in management.

In 1983, he returned to the then Teesside Polytechnic as a principal lecturer in Computer Science.

He said: "In 1967 there were only around six colleges in the UK offering computer science, and I liked Constantine College. It was very friendly.

"The campus was much smaller then, with no student residences. The changes have been tremendous, both for the university and the town. Everyone concerned should be proud.

"Naturally I'm delighted with this new post. I want to see the school develop its research profile and become an ideas factory."

Liz Barnes, 44, from Norton, has been appointed Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Law. She was previously Deputy Dean of the School of Health and Social Care. She said she would like to see international links develop.